Santiago Solari has four goals in Racing. In total, 23 in his career. But none was celebrated as much as the last. How could that not happen if he put it in 50 minutes into the second half to give the team an agonizing victory after having a hard time breaking a closed defense like Deportivo Riestra’s. The winger pressed the button for a release that included that crazy celebration, climbing the fence like a spider, looking at the fans, trying to make his eyes encompass everyone.
“It was a dream for me to score a goal in the last minute to win, with all the people, in a packed stadium. It was something beautiful. I thank the people because they always accompany us. They filled the Cylinder, we are very sorry,” the forward expressed at the Academy, in dialogue with the club’s official website. Regarding the great moment of the team, which has five wins in a row in all competitions, he conveyed caution: “We remain focused, nothing has been won yet. But we are going to go after everything, with the unconditional support of the fans.”
Also, moments after the victory was sealed, the forward had shown prudence in his words. “This is step by step, heh, like the phrase (from Mostaza Merlo). It’s very long,” he warned, “so we don’t have to go crazy. We have to continue down this path. I hope we end up like the one who said that phrase from step by step, heh.
Santiago Solari has been fighting an injury in Racing
As a result of pubalgia that has been going on for some time, according to Gustavo Costas himself, the initial idea was that Solari would not play again until after the fifth round. “We already had him ruled out until the preseason, but due to the number of casualties, especially on offense, we asked him and Almendra if we could handle them in this game. And they accepted,” the coach revealed at the press conference.
Solari came on 21 minutes into the second half for Agustín Urzi. And Agustín Almendra did it at 39 for Baltasar Luis Rodríguez. Agustín put a pass between the lines, Maxi unloaded first for Solari (with enormous quality) and the former Defender defined how it came next to the goalkeeper’s left post. The Academy winger took revenge because the goalkeeper had previously blocked him in a one-on-one, after a great action that allowed him to pass between two rivals.
Given the absence of Johan Carbonero from the Academy (strain in the femoral biceps of his left leg), Costas started Urzi because Solari is not at 100%. Santiago had returned to the Academy against Sportivo Luqueño for the Copa Sudamericana. He did it after missing the games against Coquimbo Unidos of Chile and Argentinos due to pubalgia.
Now we will have to see whether Costas appeals to Solari again or not. In this case, for the match on Thursday the 13th against Lanús, for the fifth date of the Professional League.
Cover photo: Racing Press
